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Biomedical subjects

T Hashimoto

Publications and source records attributed to T Hashimoto.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Characteristics of estrogen decomposition by ozonation.

Since the natural estrogens 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and estron (E1), and the synthetic estrogen 17 alpha-ethynyl estradiol (EE2) have strong endocrine disrupting effects and the tendency to persist in effluent from wastewater treatment plants, effective measures are needed to remove them from wastewater. In this research, to gain an understanding of the characteristics of estrogen decomposition by ozonation, experiments were conducted using effluent from an actual wastewater treatment plant. In this experiment, estrogen was added to effluent at a concentration of 200 ng/l and 20 ng/l before the ozonation experiments. The results showed 90% or more of estrogen concentration and estrogenic activity of E2, El and EE2 to be removed at an ozone dose of 1 mg/l. At an ozone dose of 3 mg/l, the estrogen concentration and estrogenic activity of E2, El and EE2 in the treated water fell below the detection limit. The removal rate was not influenced by the kind of estrogen. No generation of byproducts with estrogenic activity was observed. The authors conclude that estrogen in secondary treated wastewater can be almost entirely removed at the practical ozone dose rate applied for the purpose of disinfection, which is up to about 5 mg/l.

Endocrine Disruptors↗
PubMed2006

Restless legs syndrome in hemodialysis patients: health-related quality of life and laboratory data analysis.

AIMS: To compare clinical data, sleep quality and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) with and without RLS in HD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The international RLS study group diagnosis questionnaire was completed by 228 HD patients. The Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for the evaluation of sleep quality and the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-SF) for the analysis of HRQOL were also used. RESULTS: 53 (23%) patients were diagnosed as RLS. Age and age at the initiation of HD were significantly younger in the RLS group. Serum calcium concentration (Ca) was significantly higher in the RLS group. Sleep quality evaluated by PSQI was significantly lower in the RLS group. In SF-36 domains of KDQOL-SF, bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality, role functioning emotional, mental health and mental component score were significantly lower in the RLS group. In kidney targeted scales of KDQOL-SF, symptoms/problems, burden of kidney disease, cognitive function, quality of social interaction, sleep and patient satisfaction were significantly lower in the RLS group. CONCLUSION: High Ca was possibly connected to the pathophysiology of RLS which impaired sleep quality as well as HRQOL including mental health and many kidney disease related scales.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Correlation of serum pepsinogens and gross appearances combined with histology in early gastric cancer.

The correlation between serum pepsinogen (PG) levels and the gross types was investigated in 128 consecutive patients with early gastric cancer. Although there was no significant difference in age, gender, cancer location, or cancer depth among gross appearances, the distribution of histological type was significantly different between polypoid and depressed cancers: all polypoid cancers except one were intestinal type, whereas nearly a third of depressed cancers were diffuse type. All the patients in whom Helicobacter pylori status was investigated had Helicobacterpylori infection. Combination of gross appearances and histology (polypoid cancer with intestinal type, depressed cancer with intestinal type and depressed cancer with diffuse type) showed a clear difference in distribution of serum PG levels and a ratio between levels of PG I and PG II (I/II ratio). In polypoid cancer with intestinal type, a PG I level and a I/II ratio were significantly lower than those of the others. In depressed cancer with diffuse type, PG I and PG II levels were significantly higher. These findings revealed that backgrounds such as intragastric acidity and extent of gastric atrophy might differ among early gastric cancers with different morphology and histology.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Descending necrotizing mediastinitis treated by mediastinal drainage through bilateral thorax; report of a case].

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis is a severe infection spreading from the cervical region to the mediastinal connective tissue. The mortality rate was high and appropriate treatment is necessary to obtain favorable results. The present study describes a case of a 69-year-old man with severe descending necrotizing mediastinitis due to parapharyngeal abscess. The patient was successfully treated with cervical drainage, surgical debridement of the mediastinum via small thoracotomy. Postoperatively, continuous mediastinal and pleural irrigation with saline was performed. Swallowing disturbance due to dissection of cervical muscles prolonged duration of hospital stay. Eventually, the patient recovered and was able to eat by muscle rehabilitation.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Screening of novel nuclear receptor agonists by a convenient reporter gene assay system using green fluorescent protein derivatives.

Nuclear receptors represent a very good family of protein targets for the prevention and treatment of diverse diseases. In this study, we screened natural compounds and their derivatives, and discovered ligands for the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and the farnesoid X receptor (FXR). In the reporter assay systems of nuclear receptors presented here, two fluorescent proteins, enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) and enhanced cyan fluorescent protein (ECFP), were used for detection of a ligand-based induction and as an internal control, respectively. By optimizing the conditions (e.g., of hormone response elements and promoter genes for reporter plasmids), we established a battery of assay systems for ligands of RARs, retinoid X receptor (RXR) and FXR. The screening using the reporter assay system can be carried out without the addition of co-factors or substrates. As a result of screening of more than 140 compounds, several compounds were detected which activate RARs and/or FXR. Caffeic acid phenylethyl ester (CAPE), known as a component of propolis from honeybee hives, and other derivatives of caffeic acid up-regulated the expression of reporter gene for RARs. Grifolin and ginkgolic acids, which are non-steroidal skeleton compounds purified from mushroom or ginkgo leaves, up-regulated the expression of the reporter gene for FXR.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Optical circuit design based on a wavefront-matching method.

We propose an optical circuit design method for coherent waves as a boundary value problem. The method produces a very compact circuit in which the refractive index pattern is automatically synthesized for given input and output fields with a numerical calculation. We employ the method to design a 1.3/1.55 microm wavelength demultiplexer and also describe the features of a circuit generated by use of the method.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Automated lithology prediction from PGNAA and other geophysical logs.

Different methods of lithology predictions from geophysical data have been developed in the last 15 years. The geophysical logs used for predicting lithology are the conventional logs: sonic, neutron-neutron, gamma (total natural-gamma) and density (backscattered gamma-gamma). The prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) is another established geophysical logging technique for in situ element analysis of rocks in boreholes. The work described in this paper was carried out to investigate the application of PGNAA to the lithology interpretation. The data interpretation was conducted using the automatic interpretation program LogTrans based on statistical analysis. Limited test suggests that PGNAA logging data can be used to predict the lithology. A success rate of 73% for lithology prediction was achieved from PGNAA logging data only. It can also be used in conjunction with the conventional geophysical logs to enhance the lithology prediction.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Helicobacter pylori infection influences symptomatic response to anti-secretory therapy in patients with GORD--crossover comparative study with famotidine and low-dose lansoprazole.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Helicobacter pylori infection was reported to affect gastric acid secretion. We investigated the heartburn symptoms of patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease during sequential treatment with 40 mg of famotidine or 15 mg of lansoprazole to clarify whether H. pylori infection influences symptomatic response to anti-secretory therapy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 33 gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients, who had already been treated with a full dose of H2 receptor antagonist. First, famotidine at 20 mg b.i.d. was administered to the patients for 8 weeks. Second, famotidine was replaced with 15 mg of lansoprazole once in the morning for 8 weeks. Finally, 20 mg of famotidine was administered b.i.d. for 8 weeks instead of lansoprazole. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms were assessed using an original visual analogue scale. RESULTS: The sequential symptomatic responses to famotidine and lansoprazole administration indicated that gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms of patients during low-dose lansoprazole treatment were significantly less than those during famotidine treatment. Remission of symptoms was obtained significantly more often by famotidine therapy in patients with H. pylori infection than in patients without H. pylori infection. CONCLUSION: Low-dose lansoprazole is more effective than full-dose famotidine for the control of symptoms in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, and H. pylori infection influences the symptomatic response to H2 receptor antagonists.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗
PubMed2005

Effect of amino acids on the eutectic behavior of NaCl solutions studied by DSC.

The effect of a series of amino acids on the eutectic behavior of NaCl solutions at isotonic concentration has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The inclusion of different amino acids had different effects on eutectic formation. The amino acids were grouped into four categories based on their effect on eutectic formation: category C were amino acids that had no effect on eutectic formation; category D amino acids inhibited eutectic formation; category T amino acids shifted the melting of the eutectic to a lower temperature; category E amino acids caused the formation of a new eutectic with a melting temperature approximately -5 degrees C. The mechanism of these different effects on eutectic behavior is discussed, based on the chemical structure of the amino acids.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2005

Hydrogen-induced instability of the Ge(105) surface.

The structure and stability of the hydrogen-terminated (105) surface of Ge deposited on Si(105) substrates are investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Investigations combining STM, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and theory reveal that Si incorporation into the surface Ge layer of hydrogen-terminated Ge/Si(105) drastically destabilizes the surface. The STM images obtained on this surface are well explained by the recently established rebonded-step structure model.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

[Successful treatment of subcorneal pustular type of IgA pemphigus].

IgA pemphigus is a rare autoimmune intraepidermal blistering disease characterized by in vivo bound, and circulating IgA autoantibodies that target cell surface components (cadherins) of epidermal keratinocytes. The average age of onset is approximately 50 years. Histological hallmarks of IgA pemphigus are epidermal acantholysis, subcorneal or intraepidermal pustulosis, and neutrophilic infiltration. The main clinical characteristics are erythematous skin lesions with vesiculopustules, erosions, crusts and desquamation, favoring the trunk, groins, auxiliaries, and proximal extremities. The drug of choice for treating IgA pemphigus is diaminodiphenylsulfone. In this case study, we describe a patient who suffered from IgA pemphigus and responded well to diaminodiphenylsulfone.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed2005

Long-term survival and causes of late graft loss after adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation.

The vast amount of experience with deceased donor liver transplantation allows for the evaluation of the causes underlying late graft loss and the adoption of strategies for its prevention. In contrast, the long-term results or causes of late graft loss after adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation have not been fully examined. Thus, we analyzed 176 adult recipients who survived at least 1 year after living donor liver transplantation. The median follow-up period was 33 months. Of the 176 recipients, eight died and three others underwent retransplantation. The most common cause of graft loss in our series was cholangitis (n = 4), which might be due partly to technical problems. The 3-year and 5-year patient survival rates of the subjects were 95% and 90%, respectively. Long-term survival after living donor liver transplantation was satisfactory in our series. Further improvement of surgical techniques for biliary reconstruction may reduce late graft loss.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Identification of metabolites of [14C]zonampanel, an a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate receptor antagonist, following intravenous infusion in healthy volunteers.

This study determined the pharmacokinetics, metabolism and excretion of an a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate receptor antagonist zonampanel monohydrate (YM872) after intravenous infusion of [14C]YM872 at 1 mg kg-1 h-1 for 2 h to four healthy male volunteers. Mean pharmacokinetic parameters of unchanged YM872 were 0.78 h for terminal half-life, 25.9 l h-1 for total clearance, 22.9 l h-1 for renal clearance, and 15.6 l for volume of distribution at steady-state. Urinary excretion of radioactivity accounted for 94.9% of the dose, and faecal excretion for only 0.5% of the dose. Measurement of YM872 concentrations by a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-ultraviolet method and radiometric HPLC metabolite profiling revealed that almost all of [14C]YM872 was excreted unchanged in the urine and that unchanged [14C]YM872 was the major circulating [14C] component in the plasma. Two minor metabolites, H1 and H2, detected in the urine and identified as the same chemical structures as those of the rat urinary metabolites, have a hydroxyamino group and an amino group, respectively, which were probably formed by reduction of the nitro group of YM872. These results show that virtually all of the administered YM872 remains unchanged, with urinary excretion representing the major elimination pathway. The high renal clearance implies tubular secretion of this drug.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Effects of famotidine, mosapride and tandospirone for treatment of functional dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: An effective therapeutic strategy for functional dyspepsia (FD) has not been well-established. AIM: We investigated and compared the therapeutic effects of famotidine, mosapride and tandospirone for the control of dyspeptic symptoms. METHODS: Fully examined FD patients of outpatient clinics at seven different medical centres were enrolled in the study. They were randomly assigned to three groups based on the type of drug administered: famotidine, mosapride and tandospirone. The effects of treatment over 4 weeks were assessed by visual analogue scales. RESULTS: All of the drugs showed beneficial effects, although famotidine was the most effective for symptom relief, which was significantly greater than tandospirone, while the effect of mosapride was similar to that of famotidine. No subtype of FD showed a better response to a particular type of drug. CONCLUSIONS: For the treatment of FD, famotidine demonstrated the best therapeutic effect, followed by mosapride, while that of tandospirone was significantly lower.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗
PubMed2005

A case of bullous pemphigoid associated with autoantibodies targeting antigenic sites other than the NC16a domain of BP180.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is associated with autoantibodies to the 180-kDa BP antigen (BP180), and the antigenic site exists on noncollagenous 16a (NC16a) domain of BP180. We now report a male BP patient whose IgG autoantibodies did not react against the NC16a domain of BP180 by either immunoblotting or ELISA, whereas they did react with BP180 extracted from normal human keratinocytes. Anti-BP180 cicatricial pemphigoid was ruled out due to the lack of conjunctival mucosal involvement and the absence of scarring in the oral cavity. Our findings indicate that there is an antigenic reactive region other than NC16a on the extracellular domain of BP180. There have been few reports describing detailed clinical features of BP caused by autoantibodies targeting antigenic sites other than the NC16a domain. We conclude that it is difficult to differentiate their clinical features from those associated with autoantibodies targeting the NC16a domain of BP180.

Autoantibodies↗